CUNA Strategic Services of Madison, Wis., has made a financialinvestment in the CU Solutions Group of Livonia, Mich., giving CSS an ownershipstake in CUSG, the organizations announced Wednesday in a jointprepared statement.

The amount of CSS's financial investment was not disclosed.

“The investment made by CUNA Strategic Services into CUSolutions Group, in addition to our marketing alliance, furthervalidates that our company is offering the right type of memberenhancement solutions to credit unions across the nation,” saidDave Adams, CEO of CUSG. “Having the financial backing of anaffiliate of our national trade association for credit unionsbrings a powerful voice to our organization.”

CSS investment also solidifies an existing marketing alliancebetween the two entities.

The existing marketing alliance between CUSG and CSS wasestablished to help bring greater awareness of CUSG's partnershipsto credit unions to help drive auto loans, build member loyalty andgenerate non-interest income, according to the preparedstatement.

The marketing agreement focuses on member offers and discountsfor products and services like GM vehicles, Sprint wirelessservices, and Intuit TurboTax.

“We believe CUSG's member enhancement offerings increase thecredit unions' value and deepen a member's relationship with theircredit union,” said Wes Millar, senior vice president of CSS. “Ourinvestment helps CUSG continue on the path of reinforcing thisvalue proposition to America's credit unions.”